ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ (merimna) — Lexarithmos 246 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, μέριμνα is primarily "care, thought, anxiety, solicitude." It is a term that describes intense mental activity, often associated with the future and its potential challenges. It is not merely thought, but thought imbued with emotional weight, whether positive (foresight) or negative (anxiety, worry).

In classical Greek literature, μέριμνα frequently appears in philosophical and ethical contexts. Plato, for instance, uses it to describe the citizen's concern for the polis or the philosopher's quest for truth, but also the worry about worldly affairs. The word denotes a continuous state of mind, an internal process that can lead to wise decisions or to mental exhaustion.

In the New Testament, μέριμνα often acquires a negative connotation, associated with worldly anxiety that distracts individuals from faith and trust in God. The command "μὴ μεριμνᾶτε" (Matthew 6:25) is a central point of Christian teaching for liberation from the anxiety of material possessions and devotion to spiritual matters. However, it does not abolish responsible foresight, but rather excessive and pointless worry.

Etymology

μέριμνα ← μεριμνάω ← root μεριμν- (Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language)

The word μέριμνα derives from the verb μεριμνάω, meaning "to think, to care for, to be anxious." The root μεριμν- belongs to the oldest stratum of the Greek language, and its etymology is not directly linked to other known roots outside of Greek. Within Greek, this root signifies a mental process that encompasses both attention and concern.

Several words are derived from the root μεριμν-, describing various aspects of care and anxiety. The verb μεριμνάω forms the core of the family, while the noun μερίμνημα refers to the object of concern. The addition of the privative prefix ἀ- creates ἀμέριμνος, denoting freedom from care, and ἀμεριμνία, the state of unconcern. Other derivatives include verbs with prepositions, such as προμεριμνάω (to foresee) and ἐπιμεριμνάω (to care diligently).

Main Meanings

Care, attention, thought — The primary meaning, intellectual engagement with something.
Anxiety, worry, apprehension — The most common usage, especially in the New Testament, denoting mental distress about the future.
Foresight, providence — The positive aspect of μέριμνα, thinking about the future with a view to preparation.
Diligence, interest — The attention given to a task or a person.
Trouble, burden — Μέριμνα as a mental load, something that weighs on the mind.
Object of concern — Less frequently, μέριμνα can refer to the very thing one is anxious about.

Word Family

μεριμν- (root of the verb μεριμνάω)

The root μεριμν- forms the core of a word family revolving around the concept of care, thought, and anxiety. Originating from the oldest strata of the Greek language, this root expresses a mental and emotional engagement with something, whether as provident care or as anxious worry. The members of this family develop these facets, lending different nuances to the central idea of the mind's internal process.

μεριμνάω verb · lex. 1046

The verb from which μέριμνα is derived. It means "to think, to care for, to be anxious." It is widely used in classical literature (e.g., Plato, Xenophon) and in the New Testament, where it often exhorts the avoidance of worldly anxiety.

μερίμνημα τό · noun · lex. 294

The object of concern, that which one cares or worries about. It can be a plan, a problem, or a situation. Found in authors like Plutarch, it denotes the material or spiritual aspect of concern.

μεριμνητής ὁ · noun · lex. 761

One who cares, worries, or is provident. The "carer." A rarely attested word, it highlights the person who undertakes the concern.

ἀμέριμνος adjective · lex. 516

One who is without care, unconcerned, carefree. Often used in a positive sense, denoting mental tranquility and the absence of anxiety, as among the Stoic philosophers.

ἀμεριμνία ἡ · noun · lex. 257

The state of being without care, unconcern, mental tranquility. It constitutes an ideal for many philosophical schools, such as the Epicureans and Stoics, as liberation from troublesome worries.

προμεριμνάω verb · lex. 1296

Means "to care for beforehand, to foresee." The prefix προ- enhances the meaning of anticipation and preparation, emphasizing the positive, preventive aspect of concern.

ἐπιμεριμνάω verb · lex. 1141

Means "to care diligently, to pay special attention." The prefix ἐπι- adds emphasis to the diligence and intensive engagement with the object of care.

συμμεριμνάω verb · lex. 1686

Means "to share in anxiety, to share concern." The prefix συν- implies the collective or common nature of concern, solidarity in care or anxiety.

Philosophical Journey

The trajectory of μέριμνα through Greek literature highlights the evolution of human thought and ethical values.

8th-6th C. BCE (Archaic Period)

Early Appearances

In Homer and Hesiod, the word μέριμνα does not appear with the same frequency or conceptual weight as later. However, the concept of care and anxiety is expressed through other means, indicating humanity's primal need for foresight.

5th-4th C. BCE (Classical Period)

Philosophical and Dramatic Use

Μέριμνα becomes a central term in philosophy and drama. Plato and Xenophon use it to describe concern for the city, the soul, or truth. In tragedies, μέριμνα is often linked to the anguish of heroes.

3rd C. BCE - 1st C. CE (Hellenistic Period)

Stoic and Epicurean Analysis

In Hellenistic philosophy, especially among the Stoics and Epicureans, μέριμνα is examined as a psychological state. The Stoics pursued ἀπάθεια (freedom from passion) and ἀμεριμνία (freedom from care) as ideals, while the Epicureans sought ἀταραξία (tranquility).

1st C. CE (New Testament)

Theological and Ethical Dimension

The word acquires a strong theological and ethical dimension. In the Gospels and Paul's Epistles, "worldly μέριμνα" is condemned as an obstacle to faith and trust in God, while "μέριμνα" for spiritual matters is promoted.

2nd-5th C. CE (Patristic Literature)

Development of Theology

The Church Fathers continued to develop the theological significance of μέριμνα, distinguishing between harmful worldly anxiety and virtuous foresight for the soul and one's neighbor. John Chrysostom, for example, extensively analyzes "μὴ μεριμνᾶτε."

Byzantine Period

Continued and Administrative Use

Μέριμνα remained in use, often with the meaning of care and administration, but also spiritual concern for salvation.

In Ancient Texts

Μέριμνα, as a central concept of the human psyche, has occupied many writers. Here are three characteristic passages:

«Μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε εἰς τὴν αὔριον, ἡ γὰρ αὔριον μεριμνήσει τὰ ἑαυτῆς· ἀρκετὸν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἡ κακία αὐτῆς.»

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Gospel of Matthew 6:34

«μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.»

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Apostle Paul, To the Philippians 4:6

«οὐδὲν γὰρ δεῖ τούτων μεριμνᾶν, ἀλλὰ τοὺς νόμους φυλάττειν.»

“For there is no need to be anxious about these things, but to guard the laws.”

Plato, Republic 4.425d

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ is 246, from the sum of its letter values:

Μ = 40

Mu

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Ρ = 100

Rho

Ι = 10

Iota

Μ = 40

Mu

Ν = 50

Nu

Α = 1

Alpha

= 246

Total

40 + 5 + 100 + 10 + 40 + 50 + 1 = 246

246 decomposes into 200 (hundreds) + 40 (tens) + 6 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	246	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	3	2+4+6=12 → 1+2=3 — Triad, the number of completeness and balance, suggesting comprehensive thought.
Letter Count	7	7 letters — Heptad, the number of perfection and spiritual quest, associated with the internal process of concern.
Cumulative	6/40/200	Units 6 · Tens 40 · Hundreds 200
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	M-E-R-I-M-N-A	Mind Engages Reason In Mental Navigation Actively.
Grammatical Groups	3V · 4C	3 vowels (E, I, A) and 4 consonants (M, R, M, N).
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Mercury ☿ / Libra ♎	246 mod 7 = 1 · 246 mod 12 = 6

Isopsephic Words (246)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (246) but different roots, highlighting the numerical harmony of the Greek language:

ἄγασμα

"wonder, glory." The connection to μέριμνα might lie in the intense mental engagement that causes both anxiety and admiration, both states of intense psychological arousal.

ἱκεσία

"supplication, entreaty." Supplication often arises from a state of μέριμνα and anguish, where one seeks help and relief from their worries.

ὀναίνειν

"to profit, to benefit." While μέριμνα can be a burden, provident care leads to profit and well-being, creating an interesting contrast with the negative aspect of the word.

παλινδινία

"revolving, turning back." Μέριμνα is often characterized by a cycle of thoughts, a repetitive engagement of the mind with a subject, reminiscent of the concept of palindia.

δικασία

"judgment, legal process." Δικασία requires careful thought and concern for the administration of justice, linking the concept to critical faculty and responsibility.

δάσμα

"portion, division." The potential original root of μέριμνα might be related to the division of attention or the distribution of thoughts, making δάσμα an interesting isopsephic connection.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 32 words with lexarithmos 246. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, with a revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG). 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Plato — Republic.
Xenophon — Memorabilia.
Gospel of Matthew.
Apostle Paul — To the Philippians.
John Chrysostom — Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew.